Difficult College Majors with High Droout Rates Revealed

In the realm of higher education, some fields stand out for their complexity and rigour. From Engineering to Liberal Arts, these disciplines demand a unique blend of grit, intellectual curiosity, and a deep love for the subject matter.

Environmental Engineering, for instance, is a multidimensional field that focuses on sustainability and solving real-world problems. It combines chemistry, geology, and systems thinking, demanding high-level math, hands-on experience, and process design skills.

Marine Biology, another challenging major, blends oceanography, chemistry, and ecology. Students delve deep into environmental science and molecular biology, often spending long hours in study.

Architecture, known as the most time-intensive undergraduate major, requires an average of 22.2 hours per week in preparation. Students work at the intersection of design, science, and problem-solving, with their schedules filled with studio hours, model building, and software rendering.

Mathematics, while less focused on problem-solving, delves into the realm of proofs. From number theory to set theory and abstract algebra, mathematics challenges students to understand why solutions exist rather than just finding them.

Biology majors study molecular biology, genetics, and anatomy, requiring long hours memorizing terminology, writing lab reports, and studying for exams. The field of Biochemical Sciences, sitting at the crossroads of biology and chemistry, offers a deeper exploration into the world of proteins, enzymes, and biochemical reactions.

Economics combines math, theory, and statistical modeling, requiring data analysis and the ability to think critically about human behaviour. Computer Science students, on the other hand, study programming languages, algorithms, data structures, and software systems, demanding logical thinking, abstract reasoning, and high-level problem-solving skills.

Physics majors navigate the world of quantum mechanics and theoretical physics, requiring fluency in multivariable calculus, differential equations, and high-level math.

In the creative realm, Fine Arts majors face a brutal academic grind, with their work in sculpture, painting, or performance demanding emotional energy, technical skill, and relentless critique.

Nursing students straddle the academic and clinical worlds, balancing textbooks on pharmacology with hands-on clinical practice in hospitals. The field of Chemistry is foundational for students planning on medical school or advanced degrees.

However, the path to success is not without its challenges. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly half of bachelor's students who entered STEM majors left those fields within six years. This trend is also observed in humanities, with about half of students in difficult fields such as mathematics, natural sciences, and humanities changing their major or not completing within six years.

Performance difficulties (30%), lack of motivation (17%), and desire for practical work (15%) are the main reasons for this high dropout rate. Structural, health, or social causes also play a significant role.

Despite these challenges, many graduates find success in their chosen fields. For example, many computer science graduates find success in the tech industry with just a bachelor's degree. The rewards of pursuing a difficult major can be substantial, offering a unique blend of intellectual challenge, practical application, and personal growth.